In Advance

Joseph

I am inspired to write about Joseph and God's provision. Many times I have heard this story, but what I am about to write has never stuck out to me. God provided the grain for the 7 years of famine, in advance. God prepared Joseph for his role as second hand to the King, in advance. God will provide what we need in advance and prepare us in advance for what He has called us to do before we were even born. Stop and think about that. In your life it may be that God is having you store up grain, in advance, so you will be prepared for the calling He has for you in the end.

Genesis 37 starts the beginning of Joseph's future. God gives him a dream that he doesn't yet understand. After a series of unfortunate events, Joseph ultimately sees this dream fulfilled starting in chapter 41 when he is made a ruler of Egypt, second to only the Pharaoh.

It was through a dream God gave to Pharaoh that Joseph stepped into place. Joseph, trusting God to give wisdom to him, interpreted the King's dream. Not only did Pharaoh's dream, given by God, reveal what was to come of the next 14 years, but the dream promoted Joseph. From prison to palace. 

It all started with a God-given dream. It was God who gave the dreams in His own time. Neither Pharaoh or Joseph asked for the dreams. God gave them. And each time, the dream spoke of the future. A future God had already made arrangements for. Though we can't understand why things happen or don't happen in our lives, we must see this as an encouragement to know that God has already taken the necessary steps to ensure our God-given dream and future will be provided for when it is time for it come to fruition.

I am amazed at God's mercy. He didn't have to give Pharaoh a dream telling what would happen in the next 14 years. But God is rich in mercy. I am still trying to wrap my brain around the fact that God gave Joseph a dream, gave him the interpretation of Pharaoh's dream, and then provided for an abundance of grain for the 7 years of famine. And somehow He was behind it all, working it for His purposes designed for Joseph before he was even born. Not only that but God redeemed what was lost in Joseph's family. He fulfilled the dream He gave to Joseph and then brings Joseph's family back together through the dream He gave to Pharaoh. Very interesting and circular. I still don't think I fully understand what is on my heart when I think about this story. For God's children, He is behind things, and is in the background at times, providing and preparing us for our future. Try and wrap your mind around that one. 


I can't help but think that God is preparing you now for your future. Don't despise where He has you, but instead trust that He is working things, in advance, for you. And that when the times comes, you will be ready because you have a storehouse full of grain to offer those in need. 

Living Echoes

"Lord, speak to me that I may speak living echoes"of your voice.

Deut 4:33

Sri Lankan Encounter

One weekend while in Sri Lanka, I was able to attend an Encounter. It was such a powerful thing to be a part of and I will never forget it. 

I have never seen people run up to the Cross like this. They were screaming at the top of their lungs for Jesus to forgive them and cleanse them of their past ways. Clinging to the cross.

They were under the realization that God loves them and wants to give them freedom from their past.

They have come out of Buddhism and know Jesus is alive. They are not living as if what they believe isn't real. They know its real. They have seen the other side and know it's real as well.

[P.S. For those of you who aren't familiar with what an Encounter is, I have taken the definition from my church to explain: "An Encounter Retreat is a weekend short course in freedom - freedom from habits, bondage's, bitterness, wrong thoughts, and past mistakes. At the Encounter, the Lord sets you free through the power of the Cross."]


Praise God for the POWER of the Cross!!! It is still alive and working miracles today!


Jason Upton Song: 'The Cross Is Always Ready'


Verse
There's A Pure And Undefiled Religion
Walking With You Jesus
You Are The Blessed Hope
You Are The Risen Son
And There Are witnesses Of Ressurection
Calling Everyone
To Walk The Royal Way
To Sing The Kingdoms Song
Chorus
The Cross, The Cross Is always Ready
Everyday It Waits For Me
Christ Own Narrow Road Our Vision
Christ, The Everlasting Seed

Jesus- The One, The Only

Everyone worships something. Whether we know it or not; we are worshiping every day. The question is WHAT are we worshipping? Worship means to idolize: love unquestioningly and uncritically or to excess.

What has our focus? Our attention? Is it food? Is it our future? Is it how we are going to make enough money? Is it a report from the doctor?

Some people worship Jesus; others Buddha. Some people worship money; others relationships. Regardless of who are what we worship, I do know this...that everyone wants to be blessed by what they worship. The lady in the picture above is kneeling before a priest for a blessing. She is seeking for a blessing. She makes it a point to go out of her way once, maybe twice a day, to the temple to see a priest and for prayer.

Today I want to tell you about a people who worship foreign gods. These people have so many gods that they cant remember all their names...over 33 million. They are of the Hindu religion. According to Wikipedia: "Hinduism is often stated to be the "oldest religious tradition" among the world's major religious groups. It is formed of diverse traditions and types and has no single founder. The types, sub-traditions and denominations taken together add up to Hinduism qualifying as the world's third largest religion following Christianity and Islam, with approximately a billion adherents, of whom about 905 million live in India and Nepal."

They are bound to mindless tradition and walk in confusion. They pray to a god who can not hear them. They ask to be seen by a god who can not see them. Their God cannot create. Their God only destroys. They ask to be 'blessed' by their god, without knowing that they are actually bringing curses upon themselves. Their gods 'blessing' is sickness and insanity. Death to the body and mind.

When I was in Nepal I had a conversation with a friend there about this very subject. She told me a story that opened my eyes of how her sister was sick. The sister's husband invited a Hindu priest to pray for her - and instead of the sister being cured, she was cursed...almost losing her mind in a rage of fury and anger that only got worse as the priest tried more 'holy' things to help her. Needless to say, this is what brought my dear friends family to Jesus. He alone is what delivered the sisters mind, body and soul. And now she is a living testimony that our God is alive and well. He is ready to work miracles and set prisoners free. All they need to know is His Name.

I worship a God who created the Heavens. Jesus Christ. He hears me, takes notice of me, and cares for me. I serve a God who loves and supports me. His consolation brings joy to my soul. He blesses me with life and joy, not death. My God says that in His sanctuary are strength and glory. Where He is, there is strength.

Sing to the Lord, all the earth

Proclaim His salvation day after day

Declare His glory among the nations,

His marvelous deeds among all peoples.
For GREAT is the Lord and most worthy of praise

He is to be feared above all gods.

For all the gods of the nations are idols,

but the Lord made the Heavens.

Splendor and majesty are before Him

STRENGTH and GLORY are IN HIS SANCTUARY.

- Psalm 96

From Generation to Generation

Bettye Jo Wolfkiel, my grandmother, has been faithful to teach me about the Bible, as well as the necessity to study it, and the importance of putting Jesus first- all of my life.

Today I want to honor her for the influence she has made in my life and to thank God for what a blessing she has been to me.

One thing I know is that she gets so excited when she talks about the Bible. She loves to study God's Word early in the morning- and write down what she's learned. She's even excited to share it with others! You can see it in her eyes the joy she receives from sharing.

Grandma has always shared with me the stories of old concerning God's faithfulness. She often speaks of stories regarding her parents and God's hand on them.

"Even when I am old and grey, do not forsake me, O God, till I declare Your power to the next generation, Your might to all who are to come" Psalm 71:18